Bloga SZNs Through the Eyes of Ace Gapuz
In its early years, Blogapalooza brought the creator community together through BlogaFest, its large-scale annual gathering that drew thousands of creators into one venue for one big celebration. It was a “one-time big-time” event where the BlogaFam could meet brands, discover opportunities, create content, reconnect with fellow creators, and experience what it meant to be part of a growing creator community.
BlogaFest became a defining part of Blogapalooza’s early years. For thousands of creators, it was an annual opportunity to come together, see familiar faces, meet new people, and be part of one of the biggest creator gatherings in the country.
But as the BlogaFam grew and the creator industry evolved, Blogapalooza also began looking at how it could build deeper and more meaningful connections within the community. The question was no longer just how to bring more creators together in one place, but how to create experiences that could make a lasting impact on the creators themselves.
That shift led to Bloga SZNs in 2024, a series of localized, three-day experiences designed to bring the Bloga experience closer to creators across different provinces in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Instead of bringing thousands of creators to one major annual event, Bloga SZNs brings the experience to different regions and communities – closer and deeper to where these creators are. The approach is more intentional and grassroots, giving creators the time and space to connect with one another, experience local communities, discover stories from different parts of the country, and build relationships beyond a single event.
“Over the years we've also seen how the industry has been evolving and how influence is now, I would say, more effective when it's hyperlocalized. So Bloga SZNs is our answer to that. When we would do massive events before, it was very difficult to engage creators individually,” Ace shared.
One example was the Bohol leg, where creators had the opportunity to experience the destination while connecting with fellow creators and the local community. These regional experiences also create a win-win opportunity for Bloga and its local government partners. While creators get to discover and share authentic stories from places they may have previously known only through books, social media, or other people’s content, partner LGUs are given a platform to showcase the beauty, culture, and experiences their destinations have to offer. Through the creators’ content and influence, Bloga SZNs can help put these local destinations in front of new audiences and contribute to promoting local tourism.
With its three-day format, creators have more time to collaborate, exchange stories, and form relationships. What starts as a trip or an event can lead to new friendships, collaborations, brand opportunities, and connections that continue long after everyone heads home.
Building this new approach, however, also meant learning along the way.
“The journey has been overwhelming to look back on because when we started in year one, we were figuring things out. It was a trial version of these community-building events. Coming from a massive event and then localizing that, selecting only a few creators, we had a lot of adjustments at the beginning,” she recalled.
That willingness to learn and improve has remained central to the program. By its second year, Bloga SZNs saw stronger execution and growing support from both local government units and private organizations that recognized the value of connecting with regional creator communities.
“We were able to execute year two so much better than the first year. And of course, we always strive to be better than last year. I’ve seen it especially in the dynamics of the team. The participants are also vocal that they really feel that it’s something their creator friends would value and enjoy,” she said.
For Blogapalooza, the continued development of Bloga SZNs is also part of its commitment to the creators who have grown alongside the community. As the BlogaFam continues to give its time, creativity, and support to Bloga, the program becomes one way for the organization to give back through experiences and opportunities that help creators grow.
“One of the things I can commit to creators who have been with us for a very long time is that we will keep improving and making sure to design experiences and opportunities for everybody to level up and elevate in this industry,” she added.
At the heart of that commitment is what Ace considers the most important measure of the program: impact.
For Blogapalooza, impact goes beyond the number of creators in attendance or the amount of content produced during an event. It can be seen in the relationships formed, opportunities created, local creators given a platform, and communities strengthened through these experiences.
Through Bloga SZNs, creators can find new collaborators, connect with brands and organizations, discover opportunities in their own regions, and build a support system with people who understand the realities of being a creator.
“I say impact because when you see that there is this ecosystem that we have, something we built along the way, I feel a strong responsibility to make sure we make a difference in the lives of the people who are part of it. At this point in my journey, the motivation is really impact,” shared Ace Gapuz.
The evolution from BlogaFest to Bloga SZNs reflects how Blogapalooza’s approach to community building has grown with its creators. What began with thousands of creators gathering for one big annual celebration has expanded into a more localized effort to meet creators where they are, understand what their communities need, and create experiences that leave something meaningful behind.
For Ace, that is ultimately what the next chapter of Bloga is about: not simply bringing people together, but creating the kind of experiences that open opportunities that make a difference in their lives.
From one big annual gathering to creator communities across the country, Bloga SZNs brings Blogapalooza closer to the creators who have always been at the heart of Blogapalooza.
Comments